Despite sunless tanning options, UV rays still in demand

Spring break is almost here, and while destinations vary from South Padre Island to Mexico, many college students want to obtain that bronze skin tone before going on vacation.

Despite having many UV-free options available in acquiring a tan, many young residents of Lubbock are partial to the tanning bed, even with the known risk of skin cancer caused by UV rays. In a random sampling of 10 college students, more than half said they were planning on going to tanning salons to get their pre-spring break bronze.

Treva Gist said she is going to Hawaii for spring break and plans to frequent the tanning bed until then.

"I just don't want to fry while I'm there," she said.

Various tanning methods:

 Sunless tanning lotions, sprays and gels: These options are often called self-tanners and are applied directly to the skin. These products should be tested on small areas of the skin first to avoid irritation or staining. Self-tanners also need adequate drying time because moisture can cause the tanning product to run or wear off. This self-tanning method can last up to a week. No increased risk of skin cancer.

 Sunless bronzers: These sunless tanning products are simply applied to the skin, much like makeup, and give a temporary tan appearance. These products come in the form of moisturizers and powders, and the tan is removed by washing with soap and water. It comes off with the first washing. No increased risk of skin cancer.

 Sunless tanning booths: These booths contain an airbrush delivery system and an air compressor, which give the skin a tan. In sunless tanning booths, the tan is sprayed on in a fine mist over the outer skin layer. This method is becoming increasingly popular. No increased risk of skin cancer.

 Tanning accelerators: Accelerators are generally lotions or pills that list an amino acid, tyrosine, in the ingredients. Although it is not proven, it is reported that tyrosine increases the production of melanin, thus speeding up the tanning process. Not FDA approved. Skin cancer risk is not reported, but possible side effects include hepatitis or yellow deposits forming in the retina of the eye.

 Tanning lamps/indoor tanning: Tanning booths and lamps emit UV rays during a timed session. People shouldn't use this method more than every other day because the UV rays emitted by tanning booths are just as harmful as those from the sun. UV exposure increases the risk of skin cancer.

 Sun: Lying in the sun to get a natural tan gives UV-ray exposure, increasing the risk of skin cancer. People who can't resist natural sunlight should apply sunscreen often. People should seek sunscreen with an SPF higher than 15. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection.Sources: www.solveyourproblem.com and

www.free-beauty-tips.com/suntanning.html

Gist's choice salon is Planet Beach tanning spa. She said the salon has many options for those seeking a tan, including a variety of different tanning beds:

 Mystic Tanning booths offer a UV-free option in which the tan is sprayed on in less than 60 seconds.

 A hydration bed prolongs the tan you already have by hydrating the skin with a technology combining oxygen and water that increases circulation.

 Stand-up and lie-down tanning beds that emit UV rays.

Gist said she had tried Mystic Tan once in the past, but she didn't get her desired skin tone. So she goes for the UV rays.

Texas Tech students Abbye Irons, Brittany Gaines and Cristina Parra said they would go the tanning bed route as well.

Some residents, however, are using alternative ways to catch their desired tan.

"I plan on lying nude in my own backyard," Megan Veit said.

Veit plans on going to South Padre for her spring break.

Matt Phillips also plans to go to South Padre. He said he is not worried about getting a tan beforehand - he just wants to be buff.

"I'm just going to work out," he said.

Megan Waggener said she is still unsure of her spring break plans, but she definitely wants to be tan wherever she goes.

"I was thinking about trying the Mystic Tan," she said.

Then there's always natural sun, which is how Allison Schreck and Craig Baird said they are planning on getting tan.

Schreck said she prefers natural sunlight to tanning beds, mostly because "you can get really sunburnt in a tanning bed."

Of course, a natural tan requires warm and sunny weather, so some residents are still sticking with the popular tanning bed, or as fan Amber Harris calls it, fake 'n' bake.